Our mission is to provide support through monthly meetings on the 4th Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00. Trained professionals facilitate these meetings, where you meet new friends, share experiences, and express feelings.

Friends for Hope also offers a weekend camp in the Spring. The relaxing, informative and fun-filled camps are a time for those affected by cancer to enjoy fellowship and support in a beautiful natural surrounding.

Our hope is to make surviving with cancer the most positive experience possible.

Friends for Hope Facilitators

Ed Causey

Phillip Garrett

Tony Heitzman, M.Div.

Tony, native of Louisville, attended St. Meinrad College and St. Meinrad School of Theology in Southern Indiana. Was ordained a catholic priest in 1957 and served the Archdiocese of Louisville for 30 years. He married Judy Ostertag in 1987 and the same year became a chaplain at Hospice & Palliative Care of Louisville. He became a facilitator of Friends For Hope at the very beginning of the organization. Judy and Tony have one daughter, Jenny and two grandchildren, Makayla and Carly. As of August, 2004, Tony is a cancer survivor.

Maurice LeFevre

Maurice has been a Chaplain with Hosparus for over 19 years; was elected to the Board of Friends For Hope in October, 2008. Maurice states that "he is not a cancer survivor, but feels privileged to share in the life experience of those who are and provide support as seems appropriate."

Barbara Steele, RN

Barbara has been connected to Friends for Hope since 1994. She is a RN and has been working in the oncology field since 1986. Shee worked five years on the oncology unit at Methodist Hospital in Louisville, KY and thirteen years in a medical oncologist office. Ms. Steele has worked at James G. Brown and currently works for Norton Healthcare. She is a reserve facilitator for the support group meetings and a facilitator at the retreat care giver sessions.

Her Mother, Father, Mother and Father-in-law, and 2 good friends have all had cancer. She has been very active during their journey.

"I have witnessed what the benefit of a support group can do for quality and longevity of survivor's lives. I truly believe cancer survivors have taught me the value and true meaning of living. I love being part of this group."